Verena over at PingMag filed a great report, from her visit to the recent RFID expo held in Tokyo, with an overview of several embedded tag designs including the school uniform emblem pictured below. As we noted previously (Here and Here), the trials with students – and prisoners – continues to be a hot topic especially considering the more recent noise about youngsters mobile phone usage.
Seron over at What Japan Thinks posted this translated version of a survey conducted by Goo Research looking into the domestic demand of users considering a handset upgrade this summer. While the results show that perhaps 7% seem likely to buy a new model, one rather interesting result found there is the strong demand for 1Seg digital tv as a required function. Another, albeit less surprising but certainly meaningful, question relating to services confirmed that over 40% consider an unlimited data plan to be important. A few other recent notes of interest about mobile tv coming up after the jump.
Masayoshi Son took center stage here yesterday to unveil the company’s 2008 summer line up for SoftBank Mobile. Following the handset blitz by DoCoMo last week the company has also put forth a significant collection of new models and services for the upcoming season. Although there are several notable designs on offer, the major news today is confirmation — as we had predicted on May 27th — that SBM will bring the iPhone to Japan later this year!
Here we go again! TGS 2008 is gearing up for what will clearly be yet another great event with 180,000 expected delegates attending the show which runs October 9-12 at Makuhari Messe. Organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA), this ‘must see’ tradeshow estimates 170 exhibitors will fill 1,550 booths with nothing but the best in next-generation gaming products. See our video coverage from 2007 Here.
DoCoMo just announced the new 906i and 706i series offering with 19 handsets and 64 body colors, which will be launched starting June 1. The flagship 906i series – with all the usual high-end functions – will roll 8 new models, three from NEC, two from Sharp and one each via Panasonic, Fujitsu and Sony Ericsson. The 706i line-up introduced 11 ‘extra-slim’ models with One-Seg digital TV and a water-proof model for the bath. There’s plenty of material to wade through but some of the stand-out features include the addition of Flash 8 capabilities and a huge new video streaming portal.
A Japanese government panel has called on parents and schools to help limit the use of mobile phones by children to prevent them from accessing “harmful” information on websites. These measures are necessary to “protect children from harmful information and other negative influence involving the use of mobile phones” including “crimes and bullying,” the report said. It called for limiting mobile phone for children use just to voice calls. More details after the jump
McDonalds Japan has announced the deployment of an e-wallet coupon and payment system, using Felica and DoComo iD readers, at 175 locations as of May 20th with the target of all 3,800 retail shops nationwide to be completed by 2009. While the company has been active in the mobile space since 2003, quoting 10 million registered users, this effort was touted as the first of it’s kind during a recent press conference held here in Tokyo. More details after the jump.
The PRADA Phone by LG will be available in DoCoMo shops, under the model number L852i, according to this official press release [.pdf]. The companies held a splashy launch event, with senior management in attendance, for assorted VIP guests and the media at the über modern Prada building in downtown Tokyo and Wireless Watch Japan was there, shooting video, of course!
Touting a 3-inch touch-screen and HSDPA 7.2mbs data speed connection with 2 megapixel camera featuring Schneider-Kreuznach lens, video player and document viewer capacity, the luxury brand design handset that has reportedly sold just under 1 million units in 40 countries worldwide will finally be on sale here in June. Full specs after the jump.
The Nikkei Electronics ‘Teardown Squad’ has cracked open the 921SH handset by Sharp which recently became available via SoftBank Mobile. One of the main features of this model, touted successor to the 913SH and 920SH released last year, is of course the fingertip tracing sensitive screen and motion control sensor functionality. In a valiant effort “to determine the differences and similarities” between the past and present models they have posted detailed findings, with photos, Here. We also noted their Dissecting the Japanese Mobile Phone article posted back in March.
Our research partners over at Infinita have just pulled the wraps off a new report focused on mobile advertising and marketing in Japan. As usual the materials are detailed and informative and nearly as deep as the niche itself. If you’re at all interested in this important segment then we suggest a review of (at very least) the free sample — details here — would most certainly be time well spent.
